Dahlonega's award-winning Bear on the Square Mountain Festival is a yearly celebration of the Southern Appalachian culture, including music, art and folkways. Dahlonega is a picturesque town in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, and this year's event, which will be the 19th annual, will be held in and around the town's Historic Square during the third weekend in April.

The National Storytelling Network (NSN) has named Bear on the Square Mountain Festival as the 2015 Southeast Regional Spotlight Event for Storytelling.

The Southern Order of Storytellers, an affiliate of NSN, has participated at Bear festivals in recent years, and this year will stage an ambitious schedule of storytelling performances on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Among those appearing on the Zak McConnell Stage at Hancock Park will be National Storyteller Adam Booth.

Musicians

From the side porch of an old gristmill to the main stage of The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, following their win at the 2012 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, BlueBilly Grit has quickly become a force in bluegrass and Americana.

John Lilly is an award-winning songwriter and performer from Charleston, W. Va., who specializes in country roots and traditional folk music. From poignant ballads to humorous songs and yodels, John captures the essence of the past and puts it in his own terms.

Most of Jason Kenney’s life has been spent nestled in the beautiful mountains and community of Dahlonega. He started playing guitar when he was 14 to impress a girl. The girl didn’t work out, but he stuck with the music and it has served him well.

Auction Donations Appreciated

The biggest source of revenue for our festival is our Live and Silent Country Auction, coming up Friday night, April 17. Through the goodwill and generosity of so many friends of our festival we will be auctioning original art; gift items from local shops; tickets, meals and lodging, and much more. The event features food, wine, music and fun, and is an exciting way to kick-off our festival each year.

To make a donation please contact Sherry Moser, sherry@bearonthesquare.org. Thank you for helping us make Bear such a great festival!

Our Auction Catalog is Online!

Click the link below for more details and a first glance at our auction items. More are being added daily, so check back often and get your wish list started!